From carp outcompeting native species, through to zebra mussels multiplying in vast numbers, and knotweed damaging buildings, invasive species have been blamed for ecological and other harms across the planet.
The UAE has also fallen victim, notably with Prosopis juliflora, a Central American mesquite tree introduced to the country around five decades ago as part of afforestation efforts.
It is now found in large numbers across several emirates, particularly in the north-east of the country where it crowds out native plant species.
However, rather than attempt the difficult task of simply eliminating this invasive species, a UAE-based researcher has said that the juliflora could be harvested and then converted into biochar — a charcoal-like substance that is created by burning wood or other biomass at a high temperature without oxygen.
The proposal from Dr Ali El Keblawy, of the University of Sharjah, could bring several benefits. Biochar can improve the nutrient and water-retaining qualities of the soil, help reduce water use by the trees and store carbon in the soil.
“Biochar is organic material that can be [added] to nutrient-poor soil to enrich the soil fertility and enhance the physical, chemical properties. It can make the soil suitable for agriculture,” Dr El Keblawy said.
Biochar can be spread on soil and, unlike wood, is not broken down by microorganisms, remaining stable for tens or even hundreds of years instead of releasing its carbon quickly.
Previous research has suggested that the closely-related ghaf tree, Prosopis cineraria, which in 2008 was named the UAE’s national tree, is suitable for biochar.
Dr El Keblawy would like to secure funding to develop project to use the juliflora tree plant for biochar production.
Juliflora spreads easily because its seeds are eaten by animals and germinate after being released in faeces.
“It is really hard to be controlled. No animal can eat it, just the fruits. This means it is a non-grazeable plant,” said Dr El Keblawy.
“All the trials, not [just] here but globally, have failed to get rid of this species.”
Outcompeting other species
The tree uses a taproot several metres deep to extract large amounts of water — a very limited resource in the UAE. It also has a dense, shallow fibrous layer of roots nearer the surface that absorb nutrients and water from other plants.
Dr El Keblawy has supervised a PhD student who has uncovered further details about how the large roots help the tree to outcompete other species.
Dr Francois Mitterand Tsombou found that the roots of the juliflora extend several metres horizontally, compared to just 40cm or so for the roots of the ghaf tree.
“If there is anything growing from [above the root], the plant … will not have any chance to have humidity, to have nutrients,” Dr Tsombou said.
“The root of the exotic will capture all the water availability, all the nutrients and any native plant will not survive under the canopy of this one.”
Aside from its heavy consumption of water and nutrients, the juliflora tree suppresses the growth of native plants by releasing chemicals — a phenomenon known as allelopathy.
As part of his research, Dr Tsombou collected leaves of juliflora, another non-native tree, Prosopis pallida and the ghaf tree.
Laboratory tests showed that substances in the leaves of the juliflora had a “strongly negative” effect on the growth of other plants, an effect not seen with the leaves of the other two species.
In the juliflora's native territory, these chemicals are used to defend against animals that might eat the plant, but in the UAE they have the effect of suppressing other plant growth.
“The leaves of the Prosopis juliflora contain a lot of inhibitory chemicals that neutralise the growth native plant species,” Dr Tsombou said.
Aside from harming native species, the plant produces large quantities of pollen grains for much of the year, which can cause allergies for sensitive people.
The UAE is not the only country where the juliflora has caused issues. In Kenya, it was credited with creating a green, tree-covered landscape less prone to generating sandstorms.
However, as in the UAE, in Kenya, the plant’s seeds spread in the dung of animals and the tree has become difficult to control, causing the loss of grazing and croplands, the blocking of rivers and even the displacement of people from their homes.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Results
Men's finals
45kg:Duc Le Hoang (VIE) beat Zolfi Amirhossein (IRI) points 29-28. 48kg: Naruephon Chittra (THA) beat Joseph Vanlalhruaia (IND) TKO round 2.
51kg: Sakchai Chamchit (THA) beat Salam Al Suwaid (IRQ) TKO round 1. 54kg: Veerasak Senanue (THA) beat Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) 30-25.
57kg: Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) RSC round 3. 60kg: Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 30-27.
63.5kg: Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE) 29-28. 67kg: Narin Wonglakhon (THA) beat Mohammed Mardi (UAE) 29-28.
71kg: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) w/o Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ). 75kg: Youssef Abboud (LBN) w/o Ayoob Saki (IRI).
81kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Khaled Tarraf (LBN) 29-28. 86kg: Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Emil Umayev (KAZ) 30-27.
91kg: Hamid Reza Kordabadi (IRI) beat Mohamad Osaily (LBN) RSC round 1. 91-plus kg: Mohammadrezapoor Shirmohammad (IRI) beat Abdulla Hasan (IRQ) 30-27.
Women's finals
45kg: Somruethai Siripathum (THA) beat Ha Huu Huynh (VIE) 30-27. 48kg: Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Colleen Saddi (PHI) 30-27.
51kg: Wansawang Srila Or (THA) beat Thuy Phuong Trieu (VIE) 29-28. 54kg: Ruchira Wongsriwo (THA) beat Zeinab Khatoun (LBN) 30-26.
57kg: Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Zahra Nasiri Bargh (IRI) 30-27. 60kg: Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom (THA) beat Sedigheh Hajivand (IRI) TKO round 2.
63.5kg: Nadiya Moghaddam (IRI) w/o Reem Al Issa (JOR).
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Not Dark Yet
Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer
Four stars
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
More coverage from the Future Forum
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Kanye%20West
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
MO
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RESULT
RS Leipzig 3
Marcel Sabitzer 10', 21'
Emil Forsberg 87'
Tottenham 0
Fight Night
FIGHT NIGHT
Four title fights:
Amir Khan v Billy Dib - WBC International title
Hughie Fury v Samuel Peter - Heavyweight co-main event
Dave Penalosa v Lerato Dlamini - WBC Silver title
Prince Patel v Michell Banquiz - IBO World title
Six undercard bouts:
Michael Hennessy Jr v Abdul Julaidan Fatah
Amandeep Singh v Shakhobidin Zoirov
Zuhayr Al Qahtani v Farhad Hazratzada
Lolito Sonsona v Isack Junior
Rodrigo Caraballo v Sajid Abid
Ali Kiydin v Hemi Ahio
Hurricanes 31-31 Lions
Wellington Hurricanes:
Tries: Gibbins, Laumape, Goosen, Fifita tries, Barrett
Conversions: Barrett (4)
Penalties: Barrett
British & Irish Lions:
Tries: Seymour (2), North
Conversions: Biggar (2)
Penalties: Biggar (4)
The five pillars of Islam
Brief scores:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
The years Ramadan fell in May
